7 Best Cash Advance Apps That Work With Chime in 2024

Cash advance apps offer quick and convenient solutions for unexpected expenses, without the pain of overdraft fees. However, if you rely on the popular Chime checking account, then compatibility with cash advance apps can be an issue.

In this article, we'll provide a comprehensive list of apps that work smoothly with Chime, like Dave and Current, along with step-by-step instructions on how to connect them. Additionally, we'll delve into the pros and cons of the seven best cash advance apps that work with Chime:

1. Dave ExtraCash™ — $500
2. Brigit Instant Cash — $250
3. Empower Cash Advance — $250
4. EarnIn Cash Out — $750
5. Varo Advance — $250
6. Albert Instant — $250
7. Cleo Cash Advance — $25

Let's dive in!

The Top 7 Cash Advance Apps That Work With Chime in 2024

These cash advance apps extend beyond payday advances. Many include credit monitoring tools that calculate your score without hard credit checks. Additionally, they provide budgeting tools, savings accounts, spending rewards, debit cards, and early payment options. All apps reviewed in this guide partner with FDIC Member banks for insured balances:

Dave ExtraCash™

Dave members can use the ExtraCash™ service to get a $500 cash advance transferred immediately to your account, also free of interest charges or late fees. You can spend the money on anything you need, from gas to groceries to rent. A minor downside is that Dave charges a $1 monthly membership.

• Advance amount: Up to $500 per pay period
• Processing time: 2-3 banking days. Instant feature expedites the process for $0.99-$3.99
• Repayment date: Your next payday
• Membership fee: $1 per month

You should have at least three regular deposits to be eligible. You can enhance your eligibility when you link your bank and have a 60-day account history of positive balances. A consistent income history and responsible spending habits will also improve your profile. You can increase your advances by having a total monthly deposit of $1,000 or more.

Dave's express fee for sending cash advances to the Spending account ranges from $1.99 to $9.99, depending on the size of your advance. You can also send the cash advance to an external debit card within 1 hour. These card transfer fees cost a little more, ranging from $2.99 to $13.99.

How to Connect Dave to Chime

To link your Chime account to Dave, begin by logging into your Dave app and accessing your profile settings. Next, select "Linked Banks and Cards" from the options available. In the search bar, type in "Chime" and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the linking procedure seamlessly.

More info: read our Dave comparison guide or visit the Dave website
FDIC-insured parter: Evolve Bank & Trust, Member FDIC

Brigit Instant Cash

Brigit's Instant Cash feature offers a $250 cash advance for qualifying Plus members. Brigit offers a free plan, which comes with financial planning tools to monitor spending and a marketplace for opportunities to earn extra income. Only Plus members can access Brigit's cash advances, fee-free overdrafts, and credit builder. If you often find yourself losing money to overdraft fees from your main bank, Brigit may be the right app for you.

• Advance amount: Up to $250
• Processing time: 2-3 banking days. Instant feature expedites the process for $0.99-$3.99
• Repayment date: Flexible due date that aligns with income schedule
• Membership fee: $9.99 per month for Plus

Brigit works by integrating with your primary bank accounts. As long as it can confirm that your account has been active for at least 60 days, has a balance above $0, and has 3 recurring deposits from the same source, you may be approved for a cash advance.

How to Connect Brigit to Chime

Start by navigating to your profile settings within the Brigit app. Look for the option to add a bank and select it. Brigit uses Plaid to facilitate the connection, You can also locate Chime using the search function provided by Plaid.

More info: read our Brigit comparison guide or visit the Brigit website
FDIC-insured parter: Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC

Empower Cash Advance

Empower provides you with cash advances by linking your primary bank account via Plaid. Empower then determines your eligibility for a cash advance by reviewing your transaction history and a consistent source of income. Cash Advance offers range between $10 - $250.

• Advance amount: Up to $250 per pay period
• Processing time: 2-5 banking days. "Instant" delivery for $1.00-$8.00
• Repayment date: Empower sets a flexible date within the app
• Membership fee: $8

Empower sets a repayment date, which you will be able to review before taking the cash advance. If you do not pay on time, you will be able to re-set the date, and Empower will not charge late fees or interest.

How to Connect Empower to Chime

Start by navigating to the Analysis page within the Empower app. Scroll down to locate the Accounts section. Look for the + icon in the upper right corner and click on it. You'll connect via Plaid. Chime should appear on the list of available accounts, or you can tap on the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner to search for it directly. Follow the prompts to complete the linking process smoothly.

More info: read our comparison review
FDIC-insured parter: nbkc bank, Member FDIC

EarnIn Cash Out

EarnIn has their "Cash Out" feature, which allows you to access up to $750 per month of your pay early (eligibility based on your hourly wage), with a daily limit of $100. To access this feature, you must verify your income and employment. If you have a consistent source of income, EarnIn can help you spread out access to your paycheck throughout the whole month.

• Advance amount: Up to $750 per pay period
• Processing time: 1-2 banking days. "Lightning Speed" feature expedites the process for $0.99-$3.99
• Repayment date: Your next payday
• Membership fee: None

Instead of transferring funds to your main bank, you can also use their EarnIn Card, a Visa contactless card. This card enables immediate access to your earnings, allowing you to spend up to $1,500 per day. You can also take a no-fee cash advance of up to $300 per day from an ATM using the card.

EarnIn also offers a credit monitoring feature at no cost. Notably, this service doesn't involve hard or soft credit pulls, ensuring that your credit score won't be affected. Unlike some others, EarnIn does not offer features like savings, rewards, roundups, or cash back.

How to Connect EarnIn to Chime

EarnIn is currently testing new ways to assist Chime account holders. When selecting Chime from the bank list, EarnIn will indicate if your account is supported. Make sure "Allow Transactions" is enabled in your Chime settings to authorize Cash Outs and payday debits.

More info: read our EarnIn comparison guide or visit the EarnIn website
FDIC-insured parter: Evolve Bank & Trust, Member FDIC

Varo Advance

Varo introduces the "Advance" feature, accessible to those with a minimum of $1,000 in qualifying direct deposits to their Varo Bank Account. Varo's Advance feature allows you to borrow up to $250. While borrowing $20 is fee-free, Varo does charge flat fees for borrowing anything above that. The fees go up from $4 to $15, depending on the size of the advance.

• Advance amount: Between $20 - $250
• Processing time: Immediate
• Repayment date: Select your own date, within 15 to 30 days.
• Membership fee: None

In addition to its borrowing feature, Varo offers a credit builder card and a checking account without a monthly maintenance fee. While no interest fee is charged, a fixed fee of between 6% to 8% will accompany every cash advance exceeding $20. It also has a feature to get you paid up to two days earlier.

How to Connect Varo to Chime

After logging into your Varo account, navigate to the "Accounts" section and select "Link an Account." Then, search for Chime and input your credentials to complete the linking process.

More info: visit the Varo website
FDIC-insured parter: Varo Bank, NA, Member FDIC

Albert Instant

Albert is another app that provides access to cash advances of up to $250. To qualify, establish a direct deposit setup and offer evidence of steady income for at least the past 60 days from the same employer. Similar to the other cash advance apps, Albert's "Instant" feature doesn't impose interest or late fees. You're allowed up to three cash advances during each pay period, with the total capped at $250.

• Advance amount: Up to $250
• Processing time: 2-3 days, or instant loans for a small fee
• Repayment date: Your next payday
• Membership fee: None (Genius plan is $8 per month)

Albert offers an optional premium membership known as "Genius," which costs $96 per year. This subscription unlocks additional features, including investment options. In our opinion, Albert's additional features do not greatly differ from those you'd find in Chime®, Revolut, or Dave. It's also worth noting that when you create an account with Albert, you will be automatically enrolled in the Genius free trial, which must be canceled after 30 days if you do not want to pay the full year's membership fee.

How to Connect Albert to Chime

Start by accessing the "Profile" tab. Tap on "Linked accounts" and then select "Add account." Choose Chime from the list provided, or search for it by name if it's not listed. Finally, enter your Chime account credentials to complete the process.

More info: visit the Albert website
FDIC-insured parter: Sutton Bank, Member FDIC

Cleo Cash Advance

Cleo is a fintech app that offers cash advances ranging from $20 to $100 for first time users, and $20 to $250 thereafter. To help you save, the app has budgeting tools like a monthly bill tracker and payment reminders too.

• Advance amount: Up to $250 per pay period
• Processing time: 3-4 banking days. Express in 1 day for $3.99
• Repayment date: Cleo sets a flexible date
• Membership fee: $5.99 per month

Cleo does not required recurring direct deposits, making it another app well-suited for freelancers and gig workers. Cleo does not pull a credit check either. To increase your chances of eligibility for cash advances with Cleo, make sure to show that you have consistent income coming into your linked bank account.

How to Connect Cleo to Chime

Head to the Spend tab in your Cleo app. Tap on "Add account," which will initiate Plaid to link your Chime account while safeguarding your data. Alternatively, you can also add a Chime account from the accounts page by selecting "Connect another bank."

More info: read our comparison guide or visit the Cleo website
FDIC-insured parter: Thread Bank and WebBank, Members FDIC

Pros and Cons of Using Instant Cash Advance Apps

While instant cash advances can be useful for emergency funds before payday, they do come with some limitations and drawbacks:

Pros of Cash Advance Apps:

• Cover emergency expenses before next paycheck;
• Usually come with no interest rate fees;
• Often come with budgeting tools and get paid early features;
• Send alerts when accounts are running low;
• Repayment dates are often flexible;
• Can help you build habits to avoid credit card debt.

Cons of Cash Advance Apps:

• Come in small amounts, unlike personal loans for large purchases;
• Some charge monthly membership fees;
• Extra fee if you need the cash advance to be transferred instantly;
• Since they are not loans, repayment won't increase credit score;
• Accounts will be closed if you cannot repay the cash advance;
• Eligibility requirements include salary and direct deposit history.

What Is Chime?

Chime® is a very popular financial app and online account offering seamless everyday spending and in-network ATM withdrawals both in the US and internationally. With its fee-free promise, Chime stands out for no monthly maintenance fees, no overdraft fees, and no in-network ATM fees.

Its checking account and debit card are packed with useful features, including no transfer fees, no foreign transaction fees, and no minimum balance requirements. Chime also offers a High Yield Savings Account once you first open a checking account. You can even apply for a credit builder account after having received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Checking Account.

One last feature worth mentioning is Chime's SpotMe®. With SpotMe, you can overdraft up to $200.

Learn more: read our Chime review.

In Summary: Top 7 Instant Cash Advance Apps That Work With Chime in 2024

Here are our recommendations for the best Chime-compatible cash advance apps in 2024:

1. Dave ExtraCash™ — Offers large cash advance of $500
2. Brigit Instant Cash — Build and report your positive credit history.
3. Empower Cash Advance — Affordable access to cash advances
4. EarnIn Cash Out — Highest advance of $750, with repayment flexibility
5. Varo Advance — Not just a fintech platform, but a duly-licensed bank
6. Albert Instant — Standard payday advance app open to US residents
7. Cleo Cash Advance — Budgeting tools and payment reminders